House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) celebrated his birthday in a significant way. He was chosen to throw out the first pitch before Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

While he was amazingly well enough to be able to throw the baseball, it was who caught it that made the moment so much more meaningful.

Capitol Police Officer David Bailey was the person who caught the baseball at home plate. Bailey was one of the two officers that was on Scalise's protective detail on the morning he was shot in June.

Scalise was finally able to return to Capitol Hill for the first time in over three months after being shot. During his speech to his colleagues in the House chamber, he pointed to Bailey sitting in the gallery, thanking him and Officer Crystal Griner.

“If anybody ever wondered why we're assigned security detail, I surely found out that day,” he said. “Let me tell you, I want to specifically mention Crystal Griner and David Bailey. Crystal and David were assigned to my security detail that morning, and day in and day out they are part of our family.”

“Crystal couldn't be with us today, but David Bailey is with us. David, you are my hero. You saved my life. Thank you so much. I also thank — owe thanks to a lot of people on the field with me,” Scalise added.